ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves raising Extra Budgetary Resources upto Rs. 9020 crore for Long Term Irrigation Fund during the year 2017-18
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its approval for raising Extra Budgetary Resources  of upto Rs. 9020 crore as per the requirement during 2017-18 by NABARD through issuance of Bonds for ensuring lending rate of 6% per annum  in respect of borrowings for implementation of Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme  works of 99 ongoing prioritized irrigation projects along with their command area development  works under PMKSY.
A large number of major and medium irrigation projects taken up under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme  were languishing mainly due to inadequate provision of funds. During 2016-17, 99 ongoing projects under PMKSY- AIBP were identified for completion in phases by December-2019. To cater to the large fund requirement and ensure completion of these projects, the Union Finance Minister, during his Budget speech 2016-17, announced creation of dedicated Long Term Irrigation Fund  in NABARD with an initial corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore for funding of Central and State share for the identified ongoing projects under PMKSY .
To make the loan from NABARD attractive for states, it was decided that the rate of interest may be kept around 6% by providing requisite cost free funds to NABARD every year during 2016-17 to 2019-20 on which interest cost would be borne by Govt. of India.
During the year 2016-17, NABARD disbursed aggregate amount of Rs. 9086.02 crore under LTIF, out of which Rs. 2414.16 crore was released for Polavaram project  and balance Rs. 6671.86 crore was released to identified projects using EBR. Further, an amount of Rs. 924.9 crore was disbursed as Central Assistance  through budgetary provision. During 2016-17, overall an amount of Rs 2187 crore was raised by NABARD in the form of Government of India fully serviced bond as EBR.
During 2017-18, it is estimated that an amount of Rs 29,000 Crore may be required through LTIF, for which EBR of Rs 9020 cr would be required.
As per the status reported by the states and Central Water Commission during various review meeting, 18 projects have been completed/almost completed. Irrigation potential utilization is expected to be more than 14 lakh hectares during 2016-17 from all the 99 projects. During 2017-18, 33 more projects are likely to be completed. The completion of the identified irrigation projects will generate immediate wage and other employment opportunities in good measure during the construction phase. More importantly, on completion of the projects, the utilization of irrigation potential of about 76 lakh hectares will transform the agriculture scenario of the region resulting in generation of substantially more employment opportunities through increase in cropping intensity, change in cropping pattern, agro processing and other ancillary activities.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Child Labour Institutes
The Government is implementing the National Child Labour Project  Scheme for rehabilitation of child labour in the country. Survey for identification of working children is the immediate starting point for launching and implementing the NCLP Scheme. The NCLP Project Societies headed by District Magistrate/Collector, are required to conduct survey within three years since the last survey for which an amount of Rs. 4.00 Lakh per survey per district is provided by the Government of India. Children in the age group of 9-14 years, rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centres, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system. During 2017, M/o Labour and Employment has increased the honorarium paid to the volunteers working in the Scheme, mandatory use of PENCil Portal- an online portal for effective implementation of NCLP, formation of State Resource Centers etc.
The Special Training Centers  underNational Child Labour Project Scheme are run by District Project Societies under the Chairmanship of District Collector/District Magistrate. There are 76 active District Project Societies and the total number of Special Training Centers is 2422 presently in the country as per the information available on the PENCiL Portal.
This information was given by Minister of State  for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Navi Mumbai CGST Commissionerate busts Rs. 70 Crores Fake GST Input Tax Credit Racket
The officers of Navi Mumbai CGST Commissionerate of Mumbai Zone have busted a fake GST Input Tax Credit racket involving GST of Rs 70 Crores. This network, which involves more than 14 business entities had issued bogus invoices more than Rs 385 Crores without any receipt or supply of goods. The network is spread across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, Pune and Nagpur cities
Acting on a tip-off from Central Intelligence Unit, Mumbai CGST Zone, the officers have arrested two businessmen. One of the arrested businessman is a director of M/s Omnipotent Industries Limited which has floated a public issue recently and another one is proprietor of M/s Shree Bitumax Trading.
Both the entities are registered with GST for trading in Bitumen, Asphalt, Oil Shale and Tar Sand etc. and were indulging in fraudulent availment and passing of Input Tax Credit  of Rs 20.75 crores & Rs. 11.31 crores respectively without receiving the goods or services, in violation of the provisions of the CGST Act 2017. Both these firms were availing fake ITC from non-existing entities and passing on the same to other entities of this vicious network. Other 12 entities have availed and passed on fake ITC to the tune of Rs 38 Crores.
Both Director and proprietor were arrested under Section 69 of CGST Act 2017 for contravention of Section 132 of the Act and produced before the Hon’ble Judicial Magistrate First class, Vashi today, who has remanded them to 14 days judicial custody. Omnipotent Industries got its public listing in November 2021 and possibility of misuse of funds, generated from fake ITC network, for other financial gains is also not ruled out. Further investigation is under progress and other enforcement agencies will also be informed about their nefarious activities.
This operation is a part of special anti-tax evasion drive initiated by the CGST Mumbai Zone. In this special drive, a trained set of officers is using data analytics and network analysis tools to identify fake ITC networks and potential cases of tax evasion. During this four month old drive, more than 500 tax evasion cases have been booked leading to arrest of 40 persons, detection of tax evasion of Rs. 4550 crores and tax recovery of Rs. 600 crores.
Recently, on 03.01.2022, the officers of Thane CGST Commissionerate had arrested a father-son duo for running a fake ITC network of Rs. 22 crores. On 5.1.2022, the officers of Mumbai Central Commissionerate had arrested a timber merchant, the proprietor of M/s Noor Timber for availing fake ITC of Rs. 5.47 crores from non-existing entities.
The officers of Mumbai zone are also minutely analysing business transactions related to digital economy like online gaming, Non Fungible Tokens, e-commerce to identify the areas of possible tax evasion. Recently, a case of GST evasion by crypto currency exchange WazirX was also detected by CGST Mumbai Zone and GST of Rs. 49.2 Crores were recovered during the course of investigation. The department is going to intensify the anti-tax evasion drive against the fraudsters and tax evaders in the coming weeks.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri & his Japanese counterpart review defence cooperation & regional security situation during bilateral talks in Tokyo
Acknowledge their crucial role in ensuring free, open & rules-based Indo-Pacific region
Need to expand the scope of partnership in Defence Equipment & Technological Cooperation: Shri Rajnath Singh
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Minister of Defense of Japan Mr Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo on September 08, 2022. The two Ministers reviewed various aspects of bilateral defence cooperation as well as regional affairs. They acknowledged the importance of India-Japan defence partnership and the critical role it will play in ensuring free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
During the delegation-level talks, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that the growing complexities in the India-Japan bilateral defence exercises is a testimony to the deepening of defence cooperation between the two countries. The Ministers expressed their commitment in continuing bilateral and multilateral exercises including ‘Dharma Guardian’, ‘JIMEX’ and ‘Malabar’. They welcomed the operationalisation of the Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Services Agreement during Exercise ‘MILAN’ in March this year. The two Ministers agreed that the early conduct of the inaugural fighter exercise will pave way for much greater cooperation and interoperability between the Air Forces of the two countries.
The Raksha Mantri emphasised on the need to expand the scope of partnership in the field of Defence Equipment and Technological Cooperation. He invited Japanese industries to invest in India’s defence corridors where a conducive environment for the growth of the defence industry has been created by the Government of India.
This year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. As two robust democracies, the two countries are pursuing a Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
After reaching Tokyo on the night of September 07, 2022, Shri Rajnath Singh began his day’s engagements by laying a wreath at a Memorial, dedicated to the personnel of Japan Self Defense Forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty, at Ministry of Defense, Japan. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour before the bilateral meeting with the Japanese Defense Minister.
Later in the day, the Raksha Mantri, along with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, will participate in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The Japanese side will be represented by Minister of Defense Mr Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi. The 2+2 Dialogue will review bilateral cooperation across domains and chart out the way forward.
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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Power Minister forms dispute resolution committee to resolve unforeseen disputes between solar/wind power developers and SECI/NTPC
In a major decision to facilitate the solar and wind energy projects, Shri RK Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy  and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has approved the formation of a three member Dispute Resolution Committee to consider the unforeseen disputes between solar/wind power developers and SECI/NTPC, beyond contractual agreement.
The Members of Dispute Resolution Committee under this mechanism will be as under, till further orders –
- Shri MF Farooqui 
- Shri Anil Swarup 
- Shri AK Dubey
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Indian Consortium and Saudi Aramco Sign MoU for Ratnagiri Mega Refinery in Maharashtra
An Indian Consortium consisting of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL and Saudi Aramco signed a Memorandum of Understanding  here today to jointly develop and build an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex, Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd.  in the State of Maharashtra. Saudi Aramco may also seek to include a strategic partner to co-invest in the project.
The strategic partnership brings together crude supply, resources, technologies, experience and expertise of these multiple oil companies with an established commercial presence around the world.
A pre-feasibility study for the refinery has been completed, and the parties are now finalising the project’s overall configuration. Following the signing of the MoU, the parties will extend their collaboration to discuss the formation of a joint venture that would provide for joint ownership, control and management of the project.
The refinery will be capable of processing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day . It will produce a range of refined petroleum products, including petrol and diesel meeting BS-VI fuel efficiency norms. The Refinery will also provide feedstock for the integrated petrochemicals complex, which will be capable of producing approx. 18 million tonnes per annum of petrochemical products.
In addition to the refinery, cracker and downstream petrochemicals facilities, the project will also include the development of associated facilities such as a logistics, crude oil and product storage terminals, raw water supply project as well as centralised and shared utilities.
RRPCL will rank among the world’s largest refining & petrochemicals projects and will be designed to meet India’s fast-growing fuels and petrochemicals demand. The project cost is estimated at around Rs.3 lakh crore .
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that this a joint partnership between the consortium from India consisting of IOCL, HPCL and BPCL and Saudi Aramco & an additional strategic partner on a 50:50 basis.
The Minister said that this project, with an estimated investment of over Rs. 3 lakh crore, would bring huge benefits to the Region, the State of Maharashtra and the entire country in terms of large-scale employment generation, direct and indirect, as well as all-round economic development of the Region. This project is in line with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and His Highness the King of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Aramco President and CEO, Amin H. Nasser said that the signing of MoU marks a significant development in India’s Oil & Gas Sector. He further stated that participating in this mega project will allow Saudi Aramco to go beyond the role of crude oil supplier to a fully integrated position which supports India’s future energy demands. He also noted the opening of Aramco Asia’s New Delhi Office in 2017 with a mandate to expand the Saudi Aramco’s international portfolio in this key economic growth region.
Ministry of Home Affairs
On second day of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir today, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah laid foundation stone of ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar, met with the family members of the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police and distributed appointment letters to them
In a tweet, the Union Home Minister said, Jammu and Kashmir is the land of indomitable courage and bravery of nation’s bravehearts, Balidan Stambh is being made to ensure that valour of such heroes becomes immortal
Balidan Stambh will immortalise the memory of the martyrs and inspire patriotism among youth
Martyrdom of numerous Jawans of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorists and securing innocent citizens, is a proof that Kashmir and its people are committed towards peace
Met with family members of martyrs of J&K Police, and distributed appointment letters on behalf of J&K Government to family members of the martyrs
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, on second day of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir today, laid foundation stone of ‘Balidan Stambh’ in Srinagar. He also met with the family members of the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir Police and distributed appointment letters to them. In his tweet, the Union Home Minister said, “Jammu and Kashmir is the land of indomitable courage and bravery of nation's bravehearts. To immortalise the valour of such heroes, the foundation stone of the ' Balidan Stambh' was laid at Pratap Park in Srinagar, today. The Stambh will inspire patriotism among the youth by immortalizing the memory of the martyrs.”
Shri Amit Shah said that “The martyrdom of numerous Jawans of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorists and securing innocent citizens, is a proof that Kashmir and its people are committed towards peace. Today, met the family members of such martyrs in Srinagar and distributed appointment letters on behalf of the J&K govt to the closest kins of the martyrs.”
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
80.10 Crore beneficiaries availing benefits of Public Distribution System through 5.45 lakh Fair Price Shops across the country
As on 30th June 2023, around 80.10 Crore NFSA beneficiaries [Antyodaya Anna Yojana -8.95 Crore & Priority Households - 71.15 Crore] are getting benefits of Public Distribution System in the country through 5.45 lakh Fair Price Shops  in India.
As per the Targeted Public Distribution System  Control Order 2015, the review of ration cards/beneficiaries list, identification of ineligible/ duplicate ration cards and inclusion of eligible beneficiaries/households is the responsibility of concerned State/UT Government. States/UTs have been advised to undertake proper verification  of each identified case to ensure that ration cards of genuine beneficiaries are not deleted/ suspended. Further, States/UTs regularly issue new ration cards to the eligible households/beneficiaries in place of cancelled ration cards under ceiling limit of the National Food Security Act . Accordingly, the concerned State/UT identify the eligible beneficiaries and inform the Central Government for any change in the number of beneficiaries within the ceiling limit of the National Food Security Act .
The use of blockchain technology within the Public Distribution System  is not under consideration of Central Government, as of now.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply today in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts search operations in Tamil Nadu
The Income Tax Department has carried out search and seizure operations on 01.12.2021 in respect of 2 groups engaged in the Retail Sales of Jewellery, Textiles and Home Appliances through their popular chain of Stores in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli. A total of 37 premises were covered in this action.
In the case of the first group, seized documents and other incriminating materials gathered during the course of the search have revealed, that, the assessee had been actively involved in systematically suppressing sales by manipulating their books of accounts. The extent of suppression of sales is found to be more than Rs. 1000 crore, over a period of several years. It was also found, that, the assessee had made unaccounted cash purchases of about Rs. 150 crore in textile division and jewellery division, during the past few years.
In respect of the second group, incriminating material seized during the course of search, has revealed that the assessee group had obtained bogus bills from a set of parties to the tune of Rs. 80 crore and thereby suppressed taxable income. Evidences relating to the unaccounted purchases of gold have also been gathered. Besides, the assessee group is found to be debiting inflated making charges of jewellery. In addition, unaccounted rental receipts and the unaccounted scrap sales aggregating to Rs. 7 crore have also been detected.
The searches on the two groups have led to a seizure of cash of Rs. 10 crore and jewellery/ bullion worth about Rs. 6 crore.
Further investigations are under progress.
Special Service and Features
The National Institute of Open Schooling  signed MoU on Logistics and Supply Chain Management course
The National Institute of Open Schooling , an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, Govt. Of India signed an MoU with The Logistics Sector Skill Council , an organization set up by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for five courses to be developed at the Secondary and Senior Secondary levels and implemented by NIOS through the training centres of LSC and to be evaluated and certified by NIOS as per norms. These five courses include Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Warehousing Principles & Inventory Management at the Secondary level and Transportation & Warehouse Management, Inventory Management and Basics of Transportation at the Senior Secondary level.
The MoU was signed in the office of the Logistics Sector Skill Council, Nandanam, Chennai-600035 on 25 March, 2022 at 11 a.m. The NIOS imparts education through the Open and Distance Learning  and caters to a heterogenous group of learners upto the pre-degree level with special concern for girls and women, rural youth, working men and women, SC and ST and disadvantaged persons who were unable to continue education.
The LSC is promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industries-Institute of Logistics , a Centre of Excellence in Logistics with the aim to develop skill trained as well as upskill the workforce in India. It is hoped that this partnership will help in furthering The Skill India initiative launched by the government to train Indians in different industry-related jobs and create an empowered workforce with the help of various schemes and training courses.
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Ministry of Communications
Launch of 5G is a Golden letter day in the History of Telecom Sector in India - Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
Addresses 5G launching event by Prime Minister at India Mobile Congress 2022
Saying today is a Golden letter day in the history of telecom sector in India, the Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that telecom is the gateway of Digital India and a strong telecom sector is needed in this period of transition. He was addressing the gathering at the inaugural session of the 6th edition of India Mobile Congress 2022 by the Prime Minister and launching the 5G services in India.
The Minister said that the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given the strategic sector status to the telecom sector and gave a guidance on all dimensions of this sector and a focus is made on the development of telecom technology. The Prime Minister gave a regulatory certainty to this sector and made a transparent system to the sector which was under the litigation till now. As a result of these reforms today the telecom sector is coming up as a sunrise industry, he added.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that with the launch of 5G today, there will be a great development in the sectors of education, health, agriculture, logistics, digital economy and the face of communications will change. Efforts are on to reach last mile connectivity in the optical fiber network with an innovative model, he added.
The Minister thanked the Prime Minister for giving BSNL a market stabilizing force status, and sectioning Rs. 1,64,000 crore package which is a historic event to the Indian telecom service provider. There is a big fundamental change in the telecom manufacturing in the country, he added. Shri Modi ji gave a challenge of developing indigenous technology for 4G and 5G and India is marching ahead in the technology development and now the world is looking at Indian telecom technology, he added.
The Minister of state for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan while delivering his welcome address said that under the clarion call of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, India is marching towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Under this India has developed 4G and 5G now and will develop 6G in future. In the direction of the Prime Minister, a remarkable reforms have been made in the Telecom Sector. As a result this the Spectrum is allotted to the telecom operator almost the same day. At the juncture of getting self-reliance in the modern telecom sector we have great faith in it that it will give new energy, new hope and new life, he added.
The Chairman of Reliance Industries, Shri Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Shri Sunil Mittal, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Shri K Rajaraman and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.